Odisha man held for duping students posing as college principal
Bargarh police arrested Pabitra Naik for cheating students and parents by posing as college officials and demanding admission fees via UPI.
Attabira police in Bargarh district arrested a 20‑year‑old man on Sunday for allegedly duping students and parents by posing as a college principal and extorting money in the name of admission.
The accused, Pabitra Naik of Talapanga under Kashipur police limits in Rayagada district, was booked based on a complaint filed by Premananda Singh of Kulunda.
According to police, Singh received a call on June 25 from an unknown mobile number. The caller claimed to be associated with Larambha College and told him that Rs 8,535 had to be paid through the principal’s payment scanner, failing which the admission of his son would not be completed. Believing the caller, Singh made four payments through UPI, three transactions of Rs 2,000 each and another of Rs 2,535.
He later realised that he had been cheated and approached the police. Based on his complaint, Attabira police registered a case under sections 318(3) and 318(4) of the BNS and sections 66‑C and 66‑D of the IT Act.
During investigation, police found that Naik was working as a marketing agent for an engineering college and had travelled to different parts of Odisha, particularly educational institutions, where he collected mobile numbers of students and parents from databases. Police said that in June 2026 he procured 18 SIM cards in his name and used them to contact students, posing as college principals or clerks. He would send payment scanners and threaten that admission would be cancelled if money was not transferred.
Police further said that Naik had allegedly cheated several students in Bargarh district using the same modus operandi in July. He allegedly cheated students Kedar Nath Rana of Patkulunda and Nitei Pal of Chinajuri of Rs 20,000 each on the pretext of college admission during the same period.
Police seized 10 SIM cards, two mobile phones and three cheque books from Naik’s possession. Police said the accused used the SIM cards to pose as college principals or clerks. Police said he threatened that admission would be cancelled if money was not transferred.
The accused was produced in court on Sunday.
The incident was reported by Express News Service and updated on 24 August 2026 at 4:07 am.
Who was arrested in the Bargarh college admission fraud case?
Pabitra Naik, a 20-year-old resident of Talapanga under Kashipur police limits in Rayagada district, was arrested.
How did the accused cheat students and parents?
He posed as a college principal or clerk, called students and parents, and demanded admission fees through UPI payment scanners, threatening cancellation of admission.
When did the fraud incidents occur?
The first reported incident occurred on June 25, 2026, followed by additional cases in July 2026 in Bargarh district.
Which college was mentioned in the fraud complaint?
Larambha College was mentioned by the accused during calls to victims.
What legal sections were invoked in the case?
Sections 318(3) and 318(4) of the BNS and sections 66-C and 66-D of the IT Act were applied.
How much money did the victims lose?
Premananda Singh paid Rs 8,535, while Kedar Nath Rana and Nitei Pal each paid Rs 20,000.
What items were seized from the accused?
Police recovered 10 SIM cards, two mobile phones and three cheque books from his possession.
Was the accused produced in court?
Yes, he was produced in court on Sunday after his arrest.
Snehalata Bariha
District Correspondent, Bargarh
Snehalata Bariha covers Bargarh's paddy-belt agriculture, farmer welfare schemes, and the Dhanuyatra festival beat from her base in Bargarh town.
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